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SABBATH-SCHOOL
LESSON QUARTERLY
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FIRST QUARTER, 1907
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SABBATH - SCHOOL LESSONS
FOR
SENIOR DIVISION
A Study of the Book of Ezra
FIRST QUARTER, 1907
GENERAL NOTE.—The
book of Ezra contains the key to ,a
proper understanding of the message that proclaims the opening
of the investigative judgment in the heavenly courts. Daniel
states that the twenty-three hundred years which mark the be-
ginning of the judgment, would begin with the "going forth of
the commandment to restore and to build ,I
.
trusaieni ; ' but the
book of Ezra contains
the only divine record of the going forth
of that commandment.
LESSON 1.—Going Out of Babylon.
JANUARY 5, .1907.
Questions.
1.
What kingdom was ruling at the beginning of
Ezra's record ? Name the king. Ezra 1: 1.
2.
What did the Lord influence the king to do ?
Ezra 1:1. Note 1.
3.
Of what prophecy was this, the fulfilment? Jer.
29: 10. Note 2.
4.
How extensively was the proclamation proclaimed?
Ezra 1:
1.
The offerings for this quarter go to the most needy fields.
SABBATH-SCHOOL • LESSON QUARTERLY
3
5.
From whom did Cyrus say he received his king-
dom? Ezra 1:2.
6.
What reason did Cyrus give for having the temple
built ? Verse 2.
7.
What class of people were called to go up to Jeru-
salem? Verse 3. Note 3.
8.
What help was to be rendered the poor? Verse 4.
9.
Who responded to the call? Verse 5.
10.
How and with what spirit did their neighbors
assist them? Verse 6.
11.
What did Cyrus give them? Verse 7.
12.
Who had taken these vessels from Jerusalem? 2
Chron. 36 : 7, 18.
13.
Where had they kept them? Dan. 1: 1, 2. Note 4.
14.
How many vessels were there? Ezra 1: 9, 10.
15.
After what model had these vessels been made?
Ex. 25 : 40 ; 1 Chron. 28 : 11-13, 19.
16.
Who was placed in charge of them? Ezra 1: 11.
17.
Had they been disturbed during the seventy
years' captivity' Dan. 5: 1, 2.
18.
How did God show His displeasure because of
the insult offered to the sacred vessels? Dan. 5: 5, 26-28.
Note 5.
Notes.
1.
Cyrus evidently believed in the god of good and evil much
as the Parsecs of India do to-day, and that the God of the He-
brews was a powerful God, and to secure His favor Would greatly
increase his power.
2.
Daniel was a prominent man in the Persian court, and no
doubt had instructed Cyrus in regard to the prophecy of Jere-
miah, as we find Daniel earnestly studying these prophecies three
years before Cyrus issued his decree. Dan. 9:1, 2.
Nine-tenths of the women of India never heard of a
Saviour.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
3.
The call was to all God's people, and if all had heeded the
call, the work would have gOne forward rapidly.
4.
Nebuchadnezzar respected sacred things and placed these
holy vessels in the best place' he had,
viz.,
in the treasure-house
of his god.
5.
While they were drinking wine from those sacred vessels,
a hand appeared writing upon the wall. Consternation and confu-
sion followed, and while they were in thiS condition the army of
Cyrus entered the city and slew the king and the princes. Dan.
5 : 30, 31; Jer. 51:57. The sacred vessels must _have been scattered
throughout the banquet hall. Who was there with power to gather
them' The last kingly act of Belshazzar was to publicly proclaim
Daniel the third ruler in the kingdom. Dan. 5:29. This gave
Daniel power to command the servants to search carefully for
all the sacred vessels and .restore them to a place of safety.
LESSON 11.—The
-
First Company to Leave Babylon.
JANUARY 12, 1907. •
Queition
.
s.
1.
When the people returning from the captivity
reached Jerusalem, where did they go ? Ezra 2 : 1.
Note 1.
2.
What leading men were mentioned? Verse 2.
3.
What was done with those who_ could not give a
clean family record? Verses 58-62.
4.
How and by whom was the question decided?
Verse 63 (margin).
.5. What was the Urim and Thummim ? Ex. 28: 30;
Num. 27 : 21 ; 1 Sam. 28 : 6. Note 2.
6.
How many Jews returned ? Ezra 2 : 64, 65.
Note 3.
7.
What did they take with themy Verses 66, ,67.
8.
Who led out in making offerings to rebuild the
teMple? Verse 68.
Prayerfully consider the unantered fields.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
5
9. In what spirit were the offerings made ? Verse 65.
.10. How does the Lord regard this spirit ? 2 Cor. 9 : 7.
11.
How did the "chief of the fathers" give? Ezra
2 : 69. How much was given ?
12.
Who dwelt in their cities? Verse 70.
13.
If "all Israel" dwelt in their cities, how many
tribes were represented Acts 26: 7.
14.
For how many tribes were offerings made at the
dedication of the temple ? Ezra 6: 17.
15.
How many tribes will be represented in those that
come out of modern Babylon? Rev. 7 : 4-8.
16.
Will they dwell in a city already prepared for
them ? Heb. 11: 16. See also Rev. 21: 9-26.
Notes.
1.
These cities were substantially built. Many of them had
been• built by the heathen that dwelt in the land before IS
.
rael
came from Egypt. Deut. 6:10; Joshua 24:13. During the seventy
years' captivity, theSe cities had remained the same and stood
ready to receive those that returned from captivity.
Travelers state that in some portions of Palestine the ancient
cities still remain. Mr. Porter in "Giant Cities of Basilan,"
speaks of one of these cities as follows:
" Selcah is one of the most remarkable cities of Palestine.
It has been long deserted; and yet, as nearly as. I could estimate,
five hundred
of its houses are still standing, and three or four
hundred families might settle in it at any moment without laying
a stone, or expending an hour's labor on repairs." If some of
the cities are still standing, it is easy to understand how Israel
was so quickly settled in their cities.
2.
At the right and left of the breastplate were two large
stones of great brillian'cy. These were known as the Urim and
•
Thummim. By them, the will of God was made known through
the high priest. When questions were brought for decision ‘before
the Lord, a halo of light encircling the precious stone at the
right was a token of the divine consent or approval, while a cloud
"Lift up your eyes .and look on the Melds; for they are white
already to harvest."
•
6
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
shadowing the stone at the left, was an evidence of the denial
or disapprobation."—Patriarchs
and Prophets, chapter 30.
3. Only a small proportion heeded this call to "come out
of Babylon." They loved their houses and lands in Babylon
better than the Lord and His temple. Many remain in modern
Babylon to-day for the same reason.
LESSON III.—The Foundation of the Temple Laid.
JANUARY 19, 1907.
Questions.
1.
What did the people do in the seventh month ?
Ezra 3 : 1.
Note 1.
2.
What two men were leaders of the people?
Verse 2.
3.
What was the first work done toward establish-
ing .the service of God? Verse 3.
4.
What feast does the record say they kept ? Verse 4.
5.
When and how was this feast celebrated ? Lev.
23 : 34-44.
6.
After the Feast of Tabernacles had been celebrated,
what continual offering was established
Ezra 3 : 5.;
Ex. 29 : 38, 39.
7.
When did they begin these offerings? Ezra 3: 6.
8.
What other feasts are spoken of as being estab-
lished? Verse 5.
9.
What preparations were being made to build the
temple ? Verse 7.
10.
When did they begin the work? Verse 8.
11.
By whom was the foundation laid? Zech. 4 : 9.
12.
Who assisted in the work ? Ezra 3 : 8.
The needs of the cause of God are world-wide.
, SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
7
13.
Who was placed in charge of the work? Verse 9.
14.
Describe the service connected with laying the
foundation. Verses 10, 11.
15.
Why did the old men weep? Verse 12.
16.
How did this temple compare with the former one
i n appearance? hag. 2 : 3.
17.
What did the Lord say of this temple? Note 2.
lIag. 2: 9.
18.
Of what was the work of building the temple an
object-lesson? Acts 15 : 13-18.
Notes.
1.
The seventh month was an important month in the relig-
ious service. The first day of the seventh month was the day
of blowing of trumpets; the tenth day was the day of atonement.
while the Feast of Tabernacles began in the fifteenth day of
the same month.
2.
If the old men could have known that they were building
a temple, in which, as restored by Herod, the long-promised
Saviour would teach, they, too, would have rejoiced.
LESSON IV.—The First Protest Against the Work.
JANUARY 26, 1907.
Questions.
1.
Who heard that the temple was being built? Ezra
4: 1.
2.
What request did they make? Verse 2.
3.
Give Zerubbabel's answer. Verse 3.
4.
What was the character of these people that wished
to help build the house of the Lord? 2 Kings 17: 33, 34.
Note 1.
We expend sixty per cent of
our
efforts upon four per cent of
our field.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY .
5.
In what way did these Samaritans.show their true
character? Ezra 4:4, 5.
6.
How long did they keep up this warfare of spite?
Verse 5.
7.
What did they finally do? Verse 6.
8.
To whom did they next appeal? Verse 7: Note 2.
9.
Who were the leading spirits in
-
writing the letter?
Verses 7, 8.
•
10.
How many were represented in the letter? Verses
9, 10.
11.
What did they write in regard to the Jews and
Jerusalem? Verses 11-13.
12.
What reason did they give for sending the letter?
Verse 14 (margin)..
13.
What request did they make? Verse 15.
14.
Give the first part of the king's letter. Verses
17-19.
15.
What did Artaxerxes say about the former kings
of Jerusalem ? Verse 20.
16.
Give the decree of the king? Verses 21, 22.
17.
When the Samaritans received the letter, what did
they do? Verse 23.
18.
How long was the work stopped? Verse 24.
Notes.
1.
The Samaritans did not love nor fear the Lord; they wished
to help build because they thought if Jerusalem was rebuilt it
would be a wise policy for them to have a part in it. Such
helpers hinder the Lord, and Zerubbabel showed great spiritual
discernment in refusing them. 2 Kings 17:24-34 gives the origin
of the Samaritans.
2.
From the Bible record we have the names of Ahasuerus
and. Artaxerxes, kings reigning between the time of Cyrus and
The offerings for this quarter go to the most needy fields.
SABBATH-SCHOOL .LESSON qTTARTERLY.
Darius the Persian. According to profane history Cambyses, and
Smerdis the Impostor reigned during this time, hence it has been
thought probable that these names refer to the same kings.
' LESSON V.—The Work Revived.
FEBRUARY 2, 1967. •
Questions.
L In the crisis regarding the rebuilding of Jerusalem
what prophets did the Lord raise up ? Ezra 5: 1. Note 1.
2.• What reason did Israel give for not building the
1Muse of the Lord? Hag. 1: 2.
3.
What response did the prophet make? Verses 3, 4.
4.
What did the prophet tell tiMm to consider?
Verses 5-11.
5.
How did Zechariah encourage them to build ?
Zech: 2 : 4, 5. •
6.
How did' the Lord encourage them to go forward
in the work ? Ezra 5 : 2 ; Hag. 1: 14...
7.
When Zerubbabel decided to go forward with the
building, what precious words of 'encouragement were
sent him by the Lord? Zech..4 : 6-10. Note 2.
8.
Who stood by the leaders when they determined to
do their duty and go forward ? Hag. 1: 13 ; Ezra 5 : 2.
9.
-
Give the year, the month, and the day of the month
that the work was resumed. Hag. 1: 14, 15.
10.
Twenty-seven clays after they began building, what
wonderful testimony 'came to them from the prophet?
Hag. 2: 1-9. Note 3.
!Fe
expend sixty per cent of
our
efforts upon four per cent
of
our
field.
10
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
11.
What wonderful message. came from the prophet
Haggai, just three months from the day they resumed the
work upon the, temple ? Hag. 2 : 10-19 ; chapter 1: 15.
12.
What encouraging message came from Zechariah
at this time? Zech. 8: 9-15.
13.
What does James say the work of the Gospel really
is ? Acts 15 : 13-16.
14.
To what period of the world's history •does Paul
apply the words of Hag. 2 : 6, 7 ? See Heb. 12 : 26, 27.
15.
How does the Lord regard ,an individual that will
arise in the time of a crisis and build the work of the
Lord ? Hag. 2 : 23. Note 4.
16.
When was the temple finished? Ezra 6 : 15.
17.
How long was this after the work of building was
resumed? Compare Hag. 1 : 15 with Ezra 6 : 15.
Notes.
1.
Haggai began his work in the sixth month of the second
year of Darius the Persian, and Zechariah began to prophecy
two months later. When God raises up a prophet for a special
work God's people are preserved. Hosea 12: 13.
2.
These words of encouragement have strengthened many a
builder in the Lord's work.
3.
The Saviour taught in this temple and His presence there
was more than the glory of the former temple. Zechariah de-
scribes the Saviour's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Zech. 9:9.
4.
Zerubbabel was an object-lesson to all who arise in the
strength of the Lord and build up the work of the Lord. All
who do this are precious in His sight.'
"The Advent message to the world in this generation"—our
watchword.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
11
LESSON VI.—Difficulties Arise.
FEBRUARY 9, 1907.
Questions.
1.
What question was asked by the • governor of the
land? Ezra 5 : 3. Note 1. .
2.
What reply was made to him ?—f` Then we told
them after this manner, what the names of the men
-
were that were making this building." Verse 4, A. R. V.
3.
What special protection was granted the Jews?
Verse 5.
4.
Upon whom is the eye of the Lord said to especially
rest ? Ps. 33 : 18 ; Job 36 : 7.
5: Were the adversaries able to stop the work? Ezra
5 : 5.
•
6. Who was king of Persia at this time ? Verse 6.
Note 2.
7.
Who wrote hiM a letter? Verse 6.
8.
What report was given of the work being done
.
at
Jerusalem ? Verse 8.
9.
In answer to the governor's question, whose serv-
ants did the Jews say they were ? . Verses 9-11. Note 3.
10.
What reason did the Jews give for being carried
into captivity ? Verse 12.
11.
To what did they refer as authority for building?
Verses 13-15.
12.
How long had they been building the house?
Verse 16 ; compare chapter 3 : 8. Note 4.
13.
With what request did they close the letter? Ezra
5 : 17.
Prayer fully consider the len enter ed fields.
19
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
14.
'What was the general character of their whole
letter ?
15.
How does it compare with the letter written by the
Samaritans ? Ezra 4 : 7-16. Note 5.
16.
Of what scripture was Tatnai's letter an illus-
tration ? Prov. 16 : 7. '
17.. On receipt of the letter what did Darius do ?
Ezra 6: 1, 2.
18. Give the principal points in the decree of Cyrus.
-
Verses 3-5.
Notes.
1.
The Jews were building in direct opposition to a royal
command not to build. Ezra 4:23, 24. This required much faith.
2.
Darius the Persian was known in history as Darius Hy-
staspes. He came to the throne after Smerdis the Impostor.
3.
Their power lay in recognizing God alone as their Mas-
ter. The work of the Lord will always go forward with power when
the workers
know of a surety
in their hearts that they are "serv-
ants of the God of heaven," and not men-servers, and souls
are of more value to them than wages. Then they can carry
forward the work rapidly and it will prosper in the face of
opposition and discouraging circumstances.
4.
The foundation of the temple was laid in the
,
.econd year
of Cyrus. Cyrus reigned five years after the work began. Cam-
byses reigned seven and one-half years, Smerdis six months, and
this was the second year of Darius (Ezra 4:14), making fifteen
years since they had commenced building the temple.
5.
The letter of Tatnai was a fair, open, honorable letter,
stating the facts in their true light; while the letter of the
Samaritans was just the opposite. History repeats itself. The
Samaritans "feared the Lord and served their graven images."
2 Kings 17:41. The cause of God will often receive better
treatment to-day from worldly people, than from half converted,
professed Christians.
This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world
for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
13
LESSON 1711.—The Second Part of the Great Decree.
FEBRU A.R•K 16, 1907.
Questions.
1. What command was sent by Darius to the gov-
ernor and his associates? Ezra 6: 6, 7..•
•
• 2: What provision did Darius make for the building
of the house ? Verse 8.
3.
How was the expense, of establishing the worship,
maintained? Verses 9, 10. Note 1.
4.
What request did the king make? Verse 10.
5.
Give the penalty for disregarding the decree.
Verse .11.
6.
Who did the king say would also punish those
who disregarded the decree? Verse 12.
7.
How was the decree received by the governor and
his associates ? Verse 13..
8.
What gave prosperity to the work of building?
Verse ,14.
9.
What relation must we sustain to the teachings of
the prophet in order to prosper ? 2 Chron. 20 : 20.
10.
Who was the original framer of the great decree?
Ezra-6 : 14. How many earthly kings had a part to act
in issuing it?
11.
When was the house finished. Verse 15.
12.
Who took part in the dedication of the house of
God? Verse 16.
13.
Flow many tribes were represented in the service?
Verse 17.
"The
Advent
message _to the world in this generation"—our
watchword.
14
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
14.
What order was established? Verse 18. Com-
pare 1 Chron. 24 : 1-19 1 Chron. 23 : 6.
15.
What feast was kept the first month, after the
temple was finished? Ezra 6: 19
T
22.
16.
Who influenced the heart of the king to help the
work ? Verse 22; Prov. 21: 1.
17.. Who will always prosper in the work of the Lord ?
'Ps. 122:6.
Note.
Past history is but an object-lesson of the present and the
future. Those in the closing work who will take a firm stand
to carry out the teachings of the spirit of prophecy will find
Isa. 60:10 fulfilled in behalf of the work of the Lord to-day.
Eccl. 1:9, 10.
LESSON VIII.—The Third and Last Part of the Great
Decree.
FEBRUARY 23, 1907.
Questions.
1.
By whom was this decree issued? Ezra 7: 11.
2.
In what year of his reign ?. Verses 7-1.1.
3.
What period of time intervened between this de-
cree and that of Cyrus? Compare Ezra 1: 1 with Ezra
7 : 7-11. Note.
4.
To whom was it given? Ezra 7 : 11.
5.
What was the first provision in the decree? Verse
13.
6.
What reason did the king give for allowing all
the captives to go up with Ezra ? Verse 14.
"There shall be delay no longer"—our confidence.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
15
7.
Was this the first time permission had been g
iven
for them to return? Ezra 1: 3, 4.
8.
What were the Jews to carry with them? Ezra
7 : 15.
9.
How much silver and gold could they take with
them ? Verse 16.
10.
What were they to buy with the money ? . Verse 17.
11.
What liberty was given in spending the balance
of the money ? Verse 18.
12.
What besides money was given them? . Verse 19.
13.
State what further provision was made for the
work ? Verse 20.
14.
How did the king
.
show his confidence in Ezra?
Verse 21.
15.
To what extent could demands be made upon the
public treasury ? Verse 22.
16.
Whose command was Artaxerxes trying to carry
out ? Verse 23.
17.
What exemption was made those connected with
the temple service ? Verse 24.
18.
What besides the worship' was established by this
part of the decree? Verse 25.
19.
How much power had the restored government to •
enforce its laws ? Verse 26.
Note.
The first of the commandment was given in the first year of
Cyrus. Cyrus reigned seven years; his son Cambyses, seven and one-
half years; Smerdis the Impostor, half a year; Darius Hystaspes,
thirty-six years; Xerxes, twenty years; and the last of the
decree was given in the seventh year of Artaxerxes, making
seventy-nine years. It took seventy-nine years for man to carry
The offerings for this quarter go to the most needy fields.
1.6,7
.SABATH-SCHOOL,. LESSON
-
QUARTER4Y
out the command of God; but there came a time When God
could wait no longer. It might have come before; but it could
be delayed no longer.
IX.—The Complete Decree. .•
MARCH 2, 1907. •
Questions.
1.
Who first issued the commandment regarding the
restoration and building of Jerusalem? Ezra 6: 14.
2.
How many kings helped to carry out the command-
ment? Verse 14.
3.
When and by whoin Was the first part issued ?
Ezra 1 : 1-4. What was embraced in this part of the
decree ? Note 1.
4.
When and by whom was the second part of the
decree issued ? Ezra 6 : 1-12 ; .4 : 24.
5.
How does the decree of Darius compare with the
decree of Cyruk? Compare Ezra 1 : 1-4 with Ezra
6: 1-12. Note 2:
6.
How much time intervened between the decrees
of Cyrus and Darius ? Ezra 1: 1; 4 : 24. Note 3.
7.
Who issued the third and last part of the decree?
Ezra 7 :
11.
8.
What do we find in`-this part of the decree that
was not found in the other parts? ''Verses 25;26. Note 4.
much time intervened between the decree of
Darius and the decree of Artaxerxes? Ezra 4 : 24 ;
7 : 7-11. Note 5.
"There shall be
61e7ity
no longer"—our confidence.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON j'QUARTERLY
-
17
10.
At what date did the command 'really go forth ?
Ezra 7: 7-11. Note 6.
11.
When was the decree of Artaxerxes issued? Verses
8-11.
12.
How long did it take Ezra to reach Jerusalem ?
Vei-se 9.
13.
To whom did Ezra deliver the decree ? Ezra 8 : 36.
14.
How much of the year had passed before the decree
was delivered ? . Ezra 7 : 9. Note 7.
Notes.
1.. The decree of Cyrus made provision for the relmilding
of the temple and the establishing of the, worship.
2300 days or years. Dan. 8:14
oo
. 70 weeks-490 years
›•
IN!
62 weeks
1 w.
N
o
M
1810
years
-o
ti
a
a
a
434 years
70 7 62 49 483 27 2300 1810
7 7 7 434 4561/
2
7 490 34
499
.
49 434 483 26
1
/
2
.34 1810 1844
Or 27 A. D.
18
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
2.
The decree of Darius was a repetition of the one issued
by Cyrus and embraced the rebuilding of the temple and the
establishment of the worship.
3.
By referring to the list of Persian kings given in Note 1,
under Lesson VIII, it will be seen that seventeen years inter-
vened between the first year of Cyrus and the second year of
Darius the Persian.
4.
Artaxerxes made provision for the establishment of the
government. This was not mentioned by either Cyrus or Darius.
5.
From the second year of Darius the Persian to the seventh
year of Artaxerxes was sixty-two years. This, with the seventeen
years between the decrees of Cyrus and Darius, makes seventy-
nine years covered by the full decree.
6.
Before the captivity, Jerusalem had a government as
well as a temple and worship, and a decree to restore and to
build Jerusalem" must include the re-establishment of the gov-
ernment as well as the worship; therefore, the command could
not be said to have gone forth until provision was made for
the establishing of the government. This was in 457 B. c., in
the decree of Artaxerxes.
The following taken from an editorial in the
Review and
Herald
of April 5, 1906, contains important historical data on
this question, and should be carefully studied:
According to the generally accepted chronology, the seventh
of Artaxerxes was B. a. 457, as is noted in the margin of the
Authorized Version of the book of Ezra; but, as is the case
with almost every important doctrine, some have disputed this
;late, and have asserted that there was not sufficient proof to
establish this important position. We have therefore thought it
might be worth the while to bring forward some historical evi-
dence bearing upon this question, evidence of such a character
that it can not be set aside by mere assertion.
As the extract which we shall quote involves some abbrevia-
tions and expressions not now in common use in reckoning time,
we will interpret some of them, so that all our readers may have
as clear an understanding as possible of the grounds upon which
the reckoning is based. The expression "An. 1, Olymp. 87"
means "in the first year of the eighty-seventh Olympiad," and
the expression "An. 4, Olymp. 88" means "in the fourth year
of the eighty-eighth Olympiad," and the expression "An. 1,
Olymp. 75" means "in the first year of the seventy-fifth
Olympiad," and the expression " An. 4, Olymp. 83" means " in
the fourth year of the eighty-third Olympiad." The Olympiad
was "the period of four years between any two celebrations of
Nine-tenths of the women of India never heard of a Saviour.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
19
the Olympic games," at Olympia in Elis, one of the States of
Greece, the first Olympiad being reckoned from B. c. 776. When-
ever the abbreviation "An. J. P." occurs, it may be interpreted,
"The year of the Julian Period." this was "a chronological
period of 7,980 years, combining the solar, lunar, and indiction
cycles," which was given a theoretical starting-point in B. c.
4713. "The Julian Period was proposed by Scaliger, to remove
or avoid ambiguities in chronological dates, and was so named
because composed of Julian years." The abbreviation "lib."
should be read "book." The expression " Anno Urbis Conditae
273" may be read•" in the two hundred and seventy-third year
from the founding of the city," referring to the founding of
Home in B. c. 754. The other abbreviations will doubtless be
understood by the average reader.
The quotation to which reference has been made is from
Part I, Chap. 10, of Sir Isaac Newton's work on the _proph-
ecies of Daniel, and reads as follows
-
:
The grounds of the chronology here followed [to show that
the seventh year of Artaxerxes was B. c. 457] I will now set
down as briefly as I can.
The Peloponnesian War began in spring, An. 1, Olymp. 87
(s. c. 432), Diodorus, Eusebius, and all other authors agree. It
began two months before Pythodorus ceased to be Archon
(Thucyd. 1, 2), that is, in April, two months before the end
of the Olympic year. Now, the years of this war are most
certainly determined by the fifty years distance of its first year
from the transit of Xerxes inclusively (Thucyd. 1, 2), or forty-
eight years exclusively (Eratosth, apud Clem. Alex.) ; by the
sixty-nine years distance of its end, of twenty-seventh year, from
the beginning of Alexander's reign in Greece; by the acting of
the Olympic games in its fourth and twelfth years (Thucyd. 1, 5) ;
and by three eclipses of the sun and one of the moon, mentioned by
Thucydides and Xenophon. Now, Thucydides, an unquestionable
witness, tells us that the news of the death of Artaxerxes Longi-
manus was brought to Ephesus, and from thence by some Athenians.
to Athens, in the seventh year of the Peloponnesian, when the win-
ter half-year was running, and therefore he died An. 4, Olymp. 88.
in the end of An. J. P. 4289 .(B. C. 425), suppose a month, or
two, before mid-winter, for so long the news would be in coming
Now, Artaxerxes Longimanus reigned forty years, by the con
sent of Diodorus, Eusebius, Jerome, Sulpitius, or forty-one, accord
ing to Ptol. in Can., Clem. Alexand. (1. 1), Strom., Chron
Alexand., Abulpharagius, Nicephorus, including therein the reign
of his successors,. Xerxes and Sogdian, as Abulpharagius inform
The needs of the cause of God are world-wide.
20
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
us. After Artaxerxes, reigned his son, Xerxes, two months, and
Sogdian, seven months; but their reign is not reckoned apart
in summing up the years of the kings, but is included in the
forty, or forty-one years' reign of Artaxerxes omit these nine
mouths, and the precise reign of . Artaxerxes will be thirty-nine
years and three months. And therefore since his reign ended
in the beginning of winter, An. J. P. 4289 (B. c. 425), it began
between midsummer and autumn An. J. P. 4250 (B. c. 464).
The same thing I gather also thus: Cambyses began his reign
in spring, An. J. P. 4185 (B. c. 529), and reigned eight years,
including the five months of Smerdis; and then Darius Hystaspes
began in spring, An. J. P. 4193 (B. c. 521), and reigned thirty- .
six years, by the unanimous consent of all chronologers.
The
reigns of these two kings are determined by three eclipses of
the moon, observed at Babylon, and recorded by Ptolemy; so
that it can not be disputed.'
One was in the seventh year of
Cambyses, An. J. P. 4191 (B. C. 523), July 16, at eleven at
night; another in the twentieth year of Darius, An. J. P. 4212
(B. C. 502), November 19, at 11:45 at night; a third in the
thirty-first year of Darius, An. J. P. 4223 (B. c. 491), April
25, at 11:30 at. night. By these eclipses, and the prophecies
of Haggai and Zechary compared together,
it is manifest that
his years began after the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh
Jewish month, and before the twenty-fifth day of April, and by
consequence "about March. Xerxes, therefore, began in' spring,
An. J. P. 4229 (B. C. 485), for Darius died in the fifth year
after the battle of Marathon, as Herodotus (lib. 7) and Plutarch
mention; and that battle was in October, An. J. P. 4224 (B. c.
490), ten years before the battle of Salamis. Xerxes, therefore,
began within less than a year after October, An. J. P. 4228
(B. C. 486), suppose in the spring following; for he spent
his first five years, and something more, in preparations for
his expedition against the Greeks; and this expedition was in
the time of the Olympic games, An. 1, Olymp. 75, Calliade
Athenis Archonte, twenty-eight years after his regifuge and con-
sulship of the first counsel, Junius Brutus, Anno Urbis Conditm
273 '(3. C. 481), Fabio and Furio Coss. The passage of Xerxes'
army over the Hellespont began in the end of the fourth year
of the seventy-fourth Olympiad; that is, in June, An. J. P.. 4234
(B. c. 480), and took up one month; and in autumn, three
months after, on the full moon, the sixteenth day of the month
of Munychion, Was the battle of Salamis, and a little after that
an eclipse of the sun, which, by the calculation
;
fell, on October
"This Gospel of the kingdom Shall be preached in all The world
for' a witness
unto
all nations; and then shall the end come.'.'
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
21
2. His sixth year, therefore, began a little before June,Ctuppose
in spring, An. J. P. 4234 (B. C. 480), and his first year con-
sequently in spring, An. J. P. 4229 (B. C. 485), as above. Now,
he reigned almost twenty-one years, by the consent of all writers.
Add the seven months of Artabanus, and the sum will be twenty-
one years and about four or five months, which end between
mid-summer and autumn, An. J.'P. 4250 (B. c. 464). At
,
this time,
therefore, began the reign of his successor, Artaxerxes, as was
to be proved.
The same thing is also confirmed by Julius Africanus, who
informs us out of former writers that the twentieth year of
this Artaxerxes was the one hundred and fifteen
-
qv year from
the beginning • of the reign of Cyrus in Persia, and fell in with
An. 4, Olymp. 83. It began, therefore, with the Olympic year
soon after the summer solstice. An. J. P. 4269 (B. c. 445).
Subduct nineteen years, and his first year will begin at the, same
time of the year, An. J. P. 4250 (B. c. 464), as above.
Thus, by three independent lines of historical proof, Sir Isaac
Newton shows that Artaxerxes began. His reign in B. C. 464, and
" the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king" would consequently be
B. c. 457.
LESSON X.—An Important Prophetic Period.
MARCH 9, 1907.
Questions. "
1.
Of what was the decree to restore and to build
Jerusalem the starting point? Dan. 9: 25.
2.
What two periods are mentioned in this verse?
3.
By what two events are they bounded? Note 1.
4.
How many years are embraced in a prophetic ,
week ? Gen. 29 : 27, 20.
5.
How many years in seven weeks and three score
and two weeks? Ans.-483 years. Note 2.
6.
When did the decree to restore and to build Jeru-
" There shall be delay no
.
longer"our confidence.
22
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
salem
0
go forth? Ezra 7: 9. Ans.-456
1
/
2
B. C.
See Note
6 in Lesson 9.
7.
When was Christ baptized ? Luke 3 : 21, 22.
Note 3.
8.
How many weeks were determined, or cut off upon
the Jews ? Dan. 9 : 24.
9.
From what period was the seventy weeks taken ?
Dan. 8 : 14; 9 : 23.
10.
What event took place in the middle of the re-
maining week of the seventy weeks ? Dan. 9 : 26, 27.
11.
For how long was the covenant to be confirmed to
the Jews? Verse 27.
12.
How was this fulfilled? Heb. 2 : 3.
13.
When did the seventy weeks end? Acts 8 :1-4.
Marginal date. Note 4.
14.
When did the 2300 years end ? Ans.-1844.
Note 5.
15.. What four very important events are definitely
located by the study of the 2300 years ? Ans.—First, the
baptism of Christ 27
A.
D. Second, the crucifixion of
Christ three and one-half years later. Third, the Gospel
going to the Gentiles 34
A. D.
Fourth, the beginning of
the investigative judgment or the cleansing of the
heavenly sanctuary 1844
A. D.
Notes.
1. The seven weeks and sixty-two weeks begin with the com-
mandment to restore and to build Jerusalem, and close with
"Messiah the Prince." John 1:41 (margin), Acts 10:38 with
Luke 3:21, 22 show that Jesus became the Messiah or the
"Anointed One" when He was anointed with the Holy Ghost
at His baptism. Therefore the sixty-nine weeks reach from the
The weeds of the cause of God are world-wide.
SABBATH
-Kiwi,
LESSON
QUARTERLY
23
going forth of the commandment to rebuild Jerusalem to the
baptism of Jesus.
2.
Seven weeks would contain seven times seven years, or
forty-nine years, and sixty-two weeks would contain seven times
sixty-two, or 434 years. Forty-nine years plus 434 years equal
483 years.
3.
Four hundred and eighty-three years minus 456
1
A years
leaves 26
1
A years A. D., or 27 A. D., the date of the baptism
of Christ.
4.
Seventy weeks or 490 years were determined upon the
Jews. The sixty-nine weeks ended in 27 A. D. Seven years, or
one week, added to this brings us to 34 A. D. the end of the
•
seventy weeks.
5. The seventy weeks, or 490 years, taken from the 2,300
years leaves 1,810 years yet remaining at the end of the seventy
weeks. The seventy weeks, or 490 years, ended 34 A. D. The
2,300 years ended 1,810 years later, or in 1844.
LESSON XL—Ezra's Journey to Jerusalem.
MARCH 16, 1907.
Questions.
1.
How did Ezra express his thankfulness for the de-
cree given him by the king? Ezra 7: 27, 28. What was
he encouraged to do?
2.
In what knowledge was Ezra especially proficient?
Verses 6, 11, 12, 21.
3.
What did the king grant? Why?
-
Verse 6; Prov.
22: 11. Note 1.
4.. Who went with Ezra? Ezra 7: 7: Note 2.
5.
When Ezra examined the company what lack did
he discover? Ezra 8: 15.
6.
How many, and what kind of men were chosen as
messengers
.
? Ezra 8 : 16.
There shalt be delay no longer"—our confidence.
•
24
!.......!SAMJATLT4SCHOOL
LESSON -QUARTERLY;-:
7.
What
.
command 'did they Carry to IddO? `Vet.se 17.
8.
How many were brought? Verses 18-20.
9.
Why was a fast proclaimed? Verse 21.
10.
What reason did Ezra
:
give for not req4sting a
guard from the king? Verse 22. Note 3.
' 11. What assurance did Ezra receive ? Verse 23.
12.
How ,did Ezra dispose of the treasure on the
journey ? Verses 24-28.
13.
Who had given this treasure to the -Lord's work ?,
Verse
.
25. •
•
•
•
14.
What, instruction was given those that carried the
treasure ? Verses 29, 30.
15.
Who protected them from danger on their journey?
Verse 31. Note 4.
16.
What ceremony took place upon the fourth day
after they arrived in Jerusalem? Verses 33, 34. Note 5.
17: What number of offerings were offered? Verse 35.
•
18. What would this suggest in regard to the number
of tribes represented there?
Notes.
1.
It was Ezra's intimacy with the Lord that caused the
king" to grant,
all
his• requests; "it was according to the , hand ,
of the Lord his God upon him." The same intimacy to-day
will bring like results.
2.
From the record given in Ezra 8:1-14
)
there were over fifteen
hundred males in the company that went up with Ezra. With
women and children this made a large party.
3.
It was not the safety of the party only, but the
:
honor
of God that was at
.
stake. The king had granted every request
and may have offered a guard, but Ezra had told the king of
the power of God to deliver.
4.
The desert was infested with bands of robbers,' then as
now, and it was not safe for a caravan to Cross the desert
without a guard of armed men.
Prayerfully consider the unentered 'fields.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON
QUARTERLY
25
5. The strictest business policy should be used in dealing with
the Lord's treasure. Notice how accurate Ezra was. Every
article was both weighed and counted, and the record
:
kept.
Cursed is he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently."
Jer. 48 : 10 (margin).
LESSON XII.--4'he Condition of the Jews in
Jerusalem.
MARCH 23, 1907.
Questions.
1.
What. complaint did the princes bring to Ezra ?
Ezra 9 : 1.
2.
What was one of the leading 'sins? Verse 2.. Who
were chief in this trespass ?
3.
How did the news affect
,
Ezra ? Verse 3.
4.
How did this compare with Nehemiah's course
under similar conditions, over twenty-five years later ?
Neh. 13 : 23-25.
5.
What did Ezra reqUire of them? Ezra 10 : 5.
6.
What did Ezra do in the evening? Ezra 9 : 5.
7.
What did he say of their trespass? Verse 6 (last
clause). Compare Jer. 2 : 22.
8.
What had their iniquities brought upon them ?
Ezra 9 : 7.
9.
How had the Lord blessed and favored them?
Verses 8, 9.
10.
Had Israel obeyed the Lord ? Verse 10.
11.
What had the Lord said of the people of the
land? Verse 11.
Nine-tenths of the women of India never heard of a Saviour.
26
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
12.
What special command had the Lord
;
given ?
Verse 12.
13.
How did their punishment compare with their sin ?
Verse 13.
14.
What questions does Ezra ask of the Lord? Verse
14.
15.. With what statement did Ezra close his prayer?
Verse 15.
16.
What was indicated by the personal pronoun used
throughout the prayer?
17.
How was the same spirit shown in the prayer of
Daniel? Dan. 9 : 3-19:'
LESSON XIII.—A Separation.
•
MARCH 30, 1907.
Questions.
1. How did Ezra's course effect the people? Ezra
10 : 1.
•
2. What confession was made ? Verse 2.
3.
What covenant was made ? Verse 3.
4.
With what words did they encourage Ezra to go
forward with the work? Verse 4.
5.
What did Ezra require of them? Verse 5.
6.
How did Ezra's course compare with those who
will receive the mark of God upon their foreheads?
Verse 6; Eze. 9: 4.
7.
What proclamation did Ezra issue ? Ezra 10: 7, 8.
"This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world
for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
27
8.
When did they gather together ? Verse 9.
9.
What did Ezra say to them? Verses 10, 11.
10.
How did the congregation respond? Verse 12.
11.
What reason was given for postponing the work?
Verse 13.
12.
What plan was suggested ? Verse 14.
13.
How was the separation made ? Verses 15-17.
14.
What course did the priest persue ? Verses 18, 19.
15.
What separation does God require of His people
to-day? Rev. 18 : 4.
16.
Can a Christian be a, friend of the world ? James
4 : 4.
17.
What is the only safe position for the Christian?
1 John 2 : 15.
18.
What is Christ's will concerning His followers ?
John 17 : 15.
" Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that lie will send
forth laborers into His harvest."
An After-the-fire Story
By the Book Department Manager
When the 5 P. M. bell rang Friday, July 20, our
press-room boys were finishing a twenty-thousand edition
of "Heralds of the Morning." The plates for the last
form were still on the preSs.
Five thousand copies were in process of binding on
the gathering boards -ancl, around the bindery sewing
machines.
Fifty full Morocco prospeetuses were being finished
for delivery the following Monday to as many anxious
agents whose old cloth prospectuses were badly worn.
Two hundred. eleven copies of the complete book,
new edition, had been delivered to the shipping room
that afternoon, and had been forwarded to our
,
Kansas
City house, with the exception of a sample copy which
had been sent to the writer's home.
In the field there were more than one hundred agents
'successfully soliciting orders.
AND THAT NIGHT THE FIRE CAME
The most of the following night was spent in counsel
by the Board of Directors, foremen, and others.
Before ,the: flames,. had died :down, one of our most
experienced men was on a faSt train. bound for the
East, with the sample copy of "Heralds of the Morning,"
and with orders to secure the publication of a large
edition at the earliest possible moment.
As the plates and engravings were -all gone, this was
no light task.
So successful was he in his mission that within ten
days after. the fire a ten-thousand edition of the book
had been contracted for with a large Kansas City ffrin;
and typesetting Machines and photo-engrayerS had be
gun work.
And here came a strange experience. Our agents,
•
many of them, had poor prospectuses, some of them torn,
others nearly worn out. They pasted in loose leaves,
sewed in ,sheetsof writing-paper for additional names, ,
but they all kept at work.
Oirls...,.without previous experience took orders for
$50.00, $60.00, $68.50, and then some one jumped up to
$100.00, $150.00, and some experienced „workers up to
$240.00, $255.00, . and finally one man 'took orders
•for•
$280.00 worth of this book in a single week.
Remember, this was done with old prospectuses, and
at a time when the securing of books was somewhat. ques-
tionable.
It proves, beyond a doubt, that "Heralds of the
Morning" is a book with a mission ; that its mission is
one in' which the people of the World are interested. '
Wheri, after various delays, books began to be de-
livered, orders had piled up so that
almost four thousand
copies—about four tons—had
to be sent by express, at
mail rates.
One agent in an almost inaccessible portion of Cali-
fornia had to have nearly one hundred books sent to him
by mail. Imagine the surprise of the mail carrier, who
usually carries three or four pounds of mail, to receive
a consignment to one party of 200 pounds! But orders
had been taken and books must be delivered, even though
Uncle Sam's letter carriers had to be pressed into service.
It was soon found that the three hundred copies
being delivered each day were not sufficient, hence the
following telegram was sent to our Kansas City rep-
resentative:
.
"Try St. Louis binders for 'Heralds' and Contro-
versy.' Try make forfeiture contract."
In a few hours back flashed this message, "Binding
material all here. Kansas City firm signs penalty con-
tract to-day. Letter:"
•
• When the letter came it contained copy of a con-
tract calling for a heavy forfeiture for every day in
which at least 500 copies of "Heralds of the Morning"
were not delivered.
In a few more days this telegram came : " 'Heralds'
all sold. Shall we print five thousand more ?"
And, of course, we said, "Yes."
And now we are preparing for 1907.
First, "Heralds of the Morning" is being translated
into German, Swedish, and Danish.
Secondly, new engravings have been added, together
with chapter on recent calamities.
Thirdly, a beautiful new prospectus, designed by
those who have been selling the book most successfully,
is being printed.
Fourthly, a canvass, which, for brevity, directness,
simplicity, and selling points, has seldom, if ever, been
equaled, has been worked out by expert salesmen.
Fifthly, although in its revised and enlarged form the
book contains nearly 400 pages, we have decided to keep
the price down to $1.75. This applies to the English,
German, Danish, and Swedish editions.
Sixthly, the plates for the book have been recalled
from Kansas City, and among the first printing to be
done in our new Pacific Press home will be a twenty-
thousand run on "Heralds of the Morning," which we
hope will be the first instalment
of a one-hundred-
thousand copy edition to be manufactured and sold
during 1907.
If you wish to have a part in placing that many
copies of this message-filled book in the homes of the
people, talk with or write to your tract society secretary
nr state agent and ask for the canvass. It's free.
CHOICE TRACTS TOPICALLY ARRANGED
Immortality Question:
Thoughts for the Candid
(B. S. U. No. 47)
Is Man. Immortal
(A. U. L. No. 86)
Second Coming of Christ:
Without Excuse
(B. S. L. No._ 46)
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(B. S. L.
No. 173)
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(B. S. L. No. '189)
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Signs of the End
.
(13. S.
L.
No. 194)
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(A. G. L. No. 40)
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(A. G. L. No. 85)
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The Sabbath Question:
The Seal of God and the Mark of the
Beast
(B. S. L. No. 13.Q)
Why Not Found Out Before
New Testament Sabbath
Who Changed the Sabbath
From Sabbath to Sunday
Elihu on the Sabbath
Identical Seventh Day
Day of the Sabbath
The Seventh or One-seventh
Which Day Do Ton Keep? and Why
Is Sunday the Sabbath?
Sunday in a Nutshell
Jewish
,The True Seventh Day
Temperance :
•
The Name
(A. G. L. No. 72)
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Food; Its Mental and Moral Value .. (A. G. L. No. 69)
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Demon's Council
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It Doesn't Pay
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Spiritualism : Its Source and
Character
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Try the Spirits
(A. G. L. No. 48)
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Millennium: •
Temporal Millennium
(B. S. L. No. 121)
1.2C
The Law:
The Perpetuity of the Law
(B. S. L. No. 178)
Under the Law; or Under Grace?
(B. S. L. No. 163)
Ceremonial and Moral Law Dis-
tinguished
(B. S. L. No. 195)
Relation of the Law and Gospel
(B. S. L. No. 166)
Prayer:
Prayer, by A. T. Pierson
(A: G. L. No. 52) -
Gospel Stories:
Back to the -Old Paths
(A. G. L. No. 44)
•
How Esther Read Her Bible
(A. G. L. No. 7)
Bible Study:
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Topical Bible Studies
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